Key Takeaways:
– Millions of Hindus gathered at Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival, in Prayagraj, India.
– Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath used the event to strengthen their Hindu nationalist image.
– The festival saw massive infrastructure investments, but critics say it widened religious divisions.
– Muslims in Prayagraj felt uneasy due to changes in the city’s name and cultural symbols.
– Many pilgrims praised Modi and Adityanath for making the event successful and improving facilities.
A Sea of Faith and Politics
The Kumbh Mela, a centuries-old Hindu festival, recently ended in the city of Prayagraj, India. This massive event brought together over 560 million people, making it one of the largest gatherings in human history. Pilgrims braved crowded trains, overflowing hotels, and dirty rivers to take a holy dip where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet.
For Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Kumbh Mela was more than just a religious event. It was a chance to show their support for Hindu traditions and strengthen their political base. Both leaders are known for promoting Hindu nationalism, which blends Hindu religion with Indian politics.
Modi and Yogi: The Faces of Kumbh
Everywhere you looked in Prayagraj, there were giant billboards of Modi and Yogi Adityanath. They were shown as heroes who made the festival a success. Loudspeakers in the festival grounds highlighted the achievements of Modi’s political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Pilgrims like Satendar Singh, who came from Bihar, praised Modi and Yogi. “We are thankful to Modi and Yogi for their great work,” he said. “They are the only ones who can lead India now.” Many pilgrims echoed this sentiment, believing that the two leaders have done more for Hindu culture than any previous government.
A Festival of Records
The Kumbh Mela is a key part of Hindu culture, held every 12 years in Prayagraj. This year’s event was the biggest ever, with massive investments in roads, bridges, and cleanliness. Modi and Yogi claimed that past governments ignored the festival, but their administration made it a priority.
The success of the festival was crucial for Modi and Yogi. Their political fortunes depend on the support of India’s one-billion-plus Hindu population. Critics, however, say they are ignoring the country’s 200 million Muslims and creating divisions between communities.
Infrastructure and loyalty
Before the festival, Modi and Yogi boasted about the improvements they made. New roads, better water supply, and cleaner rivers were some of the upgrades. These changes impressed many pilgrims, who felt the festival was better organized than ever before.
Sonu Sharma, a local resident, summed up the mood. “Both Modi and Yogi are doing what no other government could do for us,” he said. “They are like kings, and we just want them to stay in power forever.”
**Divisions and Fears**
Not everyone in Prayagraj was happy with the festival. Many Muslims in the city felt uneasy. They still call the city Allahabad, its old name, which was changed to Prayagraj in 2018 by the BJP. Critics say the name change was part of a larger effort to erase Muslim culture.
Local activist Mohammad Akram accused the BJP of using the festival to create religious divisions. “The Kumbh Mela was never about dividing people,” he said. “But now, it’s being turned into a tool for religious differences.”
Many Muslim shopkeepers stayed away from the festival grounds, fearing harassment from hardline Hindu groups. Mohammad Zahid, a shopkeeper, said, “99 percent of local Muslims did not set up shops there because they were scared.”
A River for All
The Ganges River, central to the festival, has always been a symbol of unity. Preacher Syed Farooq Ahmed, whose family has lived in Prayagraj for generations, expressed sadness over the growing divisions.
“This river does not belong to any caste or religion,” he said. “It belongs to those who have made it a part of themselves.”
Ahmed’s family built a 300-year-old home and mosque near the river. They used the Ganges for ceremonial washings before prayers. For him, the river is a shared cultural heritage, not a symbol of division.
A Festival of Success?
The Kumbh Mela ended on a high note, with pilgrims and politicians alike calling it the best ever. Modi and Yogi gained praise from their supporters, but critics highlighted the growing religious divide.
As India prepares for future elections, the success of the Kumbh Mela will likely influence how people view Modi and Yogi. For now, the festival remains a celebration of faith, culture, and politics, even as debates about its impact continue.